Relationship grows between Ennis and Langenfeld

The Irish Embassy in Berlin has facilitated the establishment of links between Ennis and the German town of Langenfeld, which lies between Düsseldorf and Cologne.
Relations between Ennis and Langenfeld have been developing over the past year, strengthening links in the areas of culture and youth affairs. Officials in Langenfield became aware of Ennis when they saw television coverage of Muhammad Ali’s visit to the town last September.
A spokesman for Ennis Town Council said that earlier this year the Mayor of Langenfeld, Frank Schneider led a delegation on a visit to County Clare where he met with Ennis Town Council officials and councillors to explore the possibility of establishing formal links between both towns.
Last month, Langenfeld hosted an international youth conference that was attended by a group of students from Ennis.
On the invitation of Mayor Schneider, Mayor of Ennis, Councillor Tommy Brennan, will lead a delegation from Ennis Town Council, comprising two officials and four other councillors, on a return visit this weekend.
“We are delighted to accept the Mayor of Langenfeld’s invitation to visit the western German town,” Mayor Brennan explained.
“It is a great honour for Ennis to have been selected by Langenfeld as a potential Irish twinning partner. During our forthcoming visit, both councils will explore the range of opportunities that could be developed for the residents of both Langenfeld and Ennis.”
Commenting on the background to the proposed link, Ennis town clerk Eddie Power stated, “Langenfeld is a modern German city with a population of 60,000. The city administration actively sought to develop links with Ennis as an English speaking historic town. With the involvement of the Irish Embassy in Berlin, the Mayor of Langenfeld suggested developing links with Ennis and extended an invitation to the town council in 2009 to visit Langenfeld. For budgetary reasons, the proposed visit was deferred until 2010.”
Mr Power continued, “Mayor Brennan will lead a delegation to Langenfeld this weekend during which they will attend a cultural and arts event in Langenfeld, as well as meet with various local authority officials and public representatives.
“I look forward to the outcome of this weekend’s visit as officials from both towns seek to build further on the community and cultural links that have already been established.”
Langenfeld is located in North-Rhine-Westphalia, in the district of Mettmann. It is already twinned with Senlis (France), Gostynin (Poland) and Batangas City (Philippines).